I think it's fine to be uncomfortable without your phone. It's understandable: they do so many useful things.

However, it turns out what this post is really about is work communication, not about the functionality of phones that enhance our lives.

When you're trying to get friends together, find a nice place to eat, and get directions to meet up, having a phone is far better than not having one. I wouldn't want to be without a phone during a car crash or medical emergency, either.

In contrast, when it comes to your employer's demands on you, the phone isn't so nice to have around, is it?

My suggestion is to set notification boundaries for work-based communication and always be looking for opportunities to leave employers that violate the boundaries in your life.